Dictionary of Common Band Terms
Auxiliary:
Another term for the Guard.
Battery:
Marching Band percussion section that carries drums and marches; is comprised of snare drums, bass drums, and tenors (see Tenors).
Bibs:
Black overall type pants.
Drum Major(s):
Student conductor(s) who direct the marching band as it plays.
Drumline:
The entire percussion section of the Marching Band; includes both the PIT and the Battery.
Gauntlet:
The cuff that is placed at the bottom of uniform sleeves.
Guard:
A group of students who add color and style to marching band performances with flags and other props. Also known as Auxiliary, the term originally used for the flag/rifle carriers who stood at the front of a marching show. Evolved into modern color guard when dance and decorative flags were added.
Marimba:
Percussion instrument; a type of xylophone.
Mellophone:
Marching french horn.
Percussion:
Any striking instrument, not just drums.
Pit:
Marching band percussion section (percussion instrument team) that does not march (plays on the sidelines), comprised of instruments such as tympani, marimbas, gongs, etc.
Pit Crew:
Parents who help move percussion equipment out to the field for competition.
Plume:
Feather adornment worn on the Shako with the marching band uniform.
Shako:
Hat worn during competition.
Sousaphone:
Another term for the Tuba.
Tenors:
Set of 5-6 connected drums carried by members of the Battery.